Album of the Week: The Fray – A Light That Waits
This new album popped up on our "New Music" feed on Apple Music, probably after listening to the advance singles (and playing them on New Zealand Net Radio) but apart from that has been a bit of a ghost. We did come across a review on Sputnik Music which gives a clue why: A Light That Waits is an outing only for the most diehard of The Fray followers.
https://www.nznetradio.net.nz/album-of-the-week-the-fray-a-light-that-waits/
Album of the Week: Kingfishr – Halcyon
This album came out in August 2025 but popped into our awareness on the Youtube Music "Heavy Stereo" playlist this week. Superb beautiful Indie Folk with gorgeous harmonies and melodies. The Irish brogue is pretty hard to resist too! Some background from Bandcamp (you'll have to buy their new album elsewhere): The kingfisher is native to Ireland's waterways, remaining sedentary unless food is scarce.
https://www.nznetradio.net.nz/album-of-the-week-kingfishr-halcyon/
Album of the Week: Mitski – Nothing’s About To Happen
Indie favourite Mitski is back. As usual there is something different. In this case not so much stylistic (unlike her last Country flavoured album) as thematic. This is a concept album about an isolated woman, perhaps seen as mad and influenced by the Shirley Jackson novel We Have Always Lived in the Castle. Have a listen to the NPR discussion of Mitski and the album:
https://www.nznetradio.net.nz/album-of-the-week-mitski-nothings-about-to-happen/
Album of the Week: Hemi Hemingway – Wings of Desire
We fell in love with Hemi's first EP The Lonely Hunter a few years back and he returns with another quality effort. He's contributed to a track by track description which gives the inside story on this great collection of songs. Kiwi Hemi spent time in London however this album finds him back in New Zealand, reflecting on the end of a relationship, some bad memories and renaissance.
https://www.nznetradio.net.nz/album-of-the-week-hemi-hemingway-wings-of-desire/
Album of the Week: Michael Marcagi – Under The Streetlights
Ohio-born Michael Marcagi broke through in 2024 with the viral hit "Scared To Start" off EP American Romance. His first album has just been released - a nice collection of contemporary singer-songwriter material (he describes his music as granola folk!). New Zealand Net Radio plays a song from our irregularly updated #albumoftheweek every hour from 9am to 12pm. Listen in @tunein at on the web player.
https://www.nznetradio.net.nz/album-of-the-week-michael-marcagi-under-the-streetlights/
Album of the Week: Yumi Zouma – No Love Lost to Kindness
The general narrative with this album is goodbye dream-pop, hello grit. This isn't quite true, there are still good examples of the sweet melodic sounds we've come to love (e.g. "Every False Embrace") but there certainly are some more raunchy sounds on this album. We think they've achieved a good blend of 'mixing it up a bit' and retaining their core identity and who they are.
https://www.nznetradio.net.nz/album-of-the-week-yumi-zouma-no-love-lost-to-kindness/
Album of the Week: The Paper Kites – If You Go There, I Hope You Find It
This week we have a new album from Lucinda Williams (World's Gone Wrong) burning with righteous anger. This album is a complete contrast to that - instead of reacting to the perceived chaos of the world of news and social media feeds it turns to the healing power of nature. The Paper Kites' seventh album (the band is from Melbourne, Australia) this is a cosy, rich and warm effort.
https://www.nznetradio.net.nz/album-of-the-week-the-paper-kites-if-you-go-there-i-hope-you-find-it/
This week we have a new album from Lucinda Williams (World’s Gone Wrong) burning with righteous anger. This album is a complete contrast to that – instead of reacting to the perceived c…
Album of the Week: Dove Ellis – Blizzard
Let's start the new year with some quality singer/songwriter fare, this from Irish troubadour Dove Ellis. Pitchfork were on the money with this one (if a little churlish with their 7.6 rating!): The ambitious young Irish balladeer crafts a debut album that’s heavy on the drama, letting moments of anthemic beauty peak through his cryptic delivery. New Zealand Net Radio plays a song from our irregularly updated #albumoftheweek…
https://www.nznetradio.net.nz/album-of-the-week-dove-ellis-blizzard/
Top Songs of 2025
As always its very hard to pick favourite songs from any year - confining yourself to one song per artist is always tricky, so many songs can get forgotten or rediscovered. In other words, there could be updates to this list! At least its true that across our favourite genre - pop, rock, alternative, indie, folk and country - there have been plenty of treasures this year.
Album of the Week: Snocaps – Snocaps
Any pretensions we had to being part of the 'in the know' set of Indie underground music get shattered when the Albums of the Year lists are released revealing scores of music that completely escaped us this year. Snocaps is yet another example. We love Waxahatchee's music but didn't realise Katie Crutchfield had teamed up with twin sister Allison to release…
https://www.nznetradio.net.nz/album-of-the-week-snocaps-snocaps/
